Chapter 92
Vivian Sinclair’s gentle voice pulled her back to reality. Maeve forcefully swallowed the suffocating tide of emotion in her chest and forced a bright smile before turning to look at her mother standing in the office doorway.
“Mom! Sorry, I was just replying to a text. I’m coming p>
She walked over, stepped into the office, and began pulling the containers from her bag, popping the lids off the lunch and fruit boxes.
Vivian’s face lit up at the sight of the fresh fruit.
“I was just craving a snack. Thank you, sweetheart p>
From a distance, she hadn’t noticed, but up close, Maeve could clearly see the faint redness lingering around Vivian’s eyes.
Her mother had definitely been crying. She had just forced herself to collect her emotions so her daughter wouldn’t worry.
Maeve’s heart twisted painfully, but she swallowed the lump in her throat as Vivian asked her a question.
“Mae, didn’t you say you were taking your perfumery exam soon? How is the prep going p>
She feigned enthusiasm as she answered. “It’s going great. I passed two mock exams already, so the official one should be a breeze p>
Vivian skewered a piece of Maeve’s favorite pineapple and handed it to her, speaking between bites of her lunch.
“A former colleague of mine works in the fragrance industry now. I asked him about it, and he said you can take the certification exam online. Once you’re ready, you just apply on their portal, and when you pass, the board mails you your credentials p>
“Since neither of us has ever navigated this industry, I thought it would be safer to have an expert keep an eye out for you. I’ve already spoken to her—she’ll come over and help you fill out the paperwork on exam day, just so you don’t hit any bureaucratic snags p>
“Thank you, Mom. I’m sorry for making you worry so much p>
“You’re my daughter. It’s my job to look out for you. What’s all this nonsense about worrying? We’re family p>
“You’re the best, Mom p>
Maeve’s voice broke, tears threatening to spill over her lashes.
She quickly ducked her head, shoving the pineapple into her mouth to mask her crumbling composure.
The naturally sweet fruit tasted entirely bitter on her tongue.
Vivian’s unconditional care felt like a heavy stone resting on Maeve’s chest, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
Her mother had just endured the most devastating professional injustice, yet she refused to complain or vent her frustrations. Instead, she acted as if nothing was wong, dedicating all her energy to planning her daughter’s future.
And Maeve was the one who had brought that injustice upon her.
In the years since she married Frederick, she had rarely been able to visit and care for her narents Now, the moment she finally returned, she had dragged disaster right to their doorstep.
How could anyone be such a spectacular failure of a daughter?
The guilt gnawed at Maeve’s insides. As soon as she finished keeping her mother company for lunch, she practically bolted to the hospital roof, too anxious to wait another second. She pulled Frederick’s number out of her blocked list and called him.
It was as if he were purposely testing her patience.
The first call rang out.
The second and third went straight to voicemail p>
She called him so many times she lost count.
As the anxiety clawed at her, she chewed her lip until the delicate skin cracked.
It wasn’t until she tasted a faint metallic tang that Frederick’s lazy, arrogant drawl finally echoed through the speaker.
“Mae, you finally decided to call p>
“Frederick!” Maeve’s chest heaved as her restraint completely shattered.
“My mother’s promotion being blocked by the hospital board—that was you, wasn’t it p>